Class Summary for June 11, 2024 - Chapter-3 Slokas 40 - 43

Summarized by Rajesh

Review of last class:

  • Desires and ways to manage them better
    • substitute & sublimate
    • Sadhana - sample package
    • 3 yogas
  • Swamiji’s Videos - what is a sin
  • 6 step ladder of fall


Verses 40-43 

The senses, mind and intellect are said to be breeding grounds of desire.  Through them, it clouds one’s knowledge and deludes the embodied soul /40/


Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning bring the senses under control and slay this enemy called desire, which is the embodiment of sin and destroys knowledge and realization /41/


The senses are superior to the gross body, and superior to the senses is the mind.  Beyond the mind is the intellect, and even beyond the intellect is the soul /42/


Thus knowing the should to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty armed Arjun, subdue the self (senses, mind, and intellect) by the self (strength of the soul), and kill this formidable enemy called lust. /43/


 BMI chart:

  • Body perceives the world of objects
  • Mind reacts or feels the world of emotions
  • Intellect thinks the world of thoughts

Grossest is the Body, subtler is the Mind, subtler still is the Intellect


Vasanas - impressions from past lives, innate tendencies, shield of ignorance, unmanifested desires


Vasanas + Matter (Prakrti) conditioned by BMI is the Jivatma


Beyond all this is Om / Supreme Reality / Brahman which has the attributes of Sat (Existence) + Chit (Knowledge / Consciousness) + Ananda (Bliss)


The group talked about personal experiences of substitution.


 

10-point checklist for a wise person:

  1. Content
  2. Disciplined
  3. Balanced
  4. Devoted
  5. Independent
  6. Aware
  7. Fearless
  8. Knowledgeable
  9. Accepting
  10. Humility

The humility is the most difficult aspect.  We have to be careful that as we develop the other 9 aspects, the ego also grows.  One way to remain humble is to truly surrender to the Lord or the higher.



Karma yoga for dummies!

  • 1st level
    • Materialistic path - do your selfish / self-gain actions (Sakaama karma) using Dharmic ways; and credit the Higher Force for the results - Prasaada Buddhi
  • 2nd level
    • Nishkaama karma:
      • Non-materialistic path
      • Action to others (time, money, food, counseling, etc.) with an attitude of Surrender (Arpanam)
    • We need to do Level 2 in addition to Level 1.  Over time, our Level 1 needs decrease


Summer reading

  • read 2 slokas every day from Chapter 2 to 3, along with the commentary
  • reflect and internalize
  • if we finish Chapter 2 and 3, begin reading forward to chapter 4

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